Paisley’s former Bishop was last night named as temporary replacement for Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

The Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia, who left his post as Bishop of Paisley last year to take on the prestigious role of Archbishop of Glasgow, will temporarily govern the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

His appointment as Apostolic Administrator was confirmed by the Pope following the shock resignation of Cardinal O’Brien earlier this week, amid allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour towards fellow priests.

Cardinal O’Brien has denied the allegations.

Archbishop Tartaglia, 62, took over the Glasgow post from Mario Conti back in September, after seven years in Paisley, and it’s understood he will continue in this role while serving as Apostolic Administrator in St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Last night, he said: “These are painful and distressing times for the Archdiocese. I also feel pained and distressed.

“With the grace of God, I will do my very best to oversee and govern the Archdiocese until the appointment of a new Archbishop.”

And, in a message to his new parishioners, Archbishop Tartaglia added: “You have lost your Cardinal Archbishop in the most difficult of circumstances.

“I am so sorry for everyone involved and I assure them of my prayers.

“I want you to know that we are one with you in these unfortunate circumstances and thank you for your faithfulness and love of the Church.”

An Apostolic Administrator is appointed by the Pope until a new Archbishop or Bishop can be appointed.

It is understood Archbishop Tartaglia will not be invited to be involved in any Vatican investigation into the allegations made against Cardinal O’Brien.

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said it was “impossible to say” how long Archbishop Tartaglia would govern in St Andrews and Edinburgh, as a new Archbishop would be chosen by the new Pope, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Tartaglia was ordained in 1975 and served at Our Lady of Lourdes, in Cardonald, and St Mary’s, in Duntocher, before being appointed Bishop of Paisley in 2005.

Cardinal O’Brien, who was Britain’s most senior Catholic, resigned as Archbishop after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards priests in the 1980s.

In the allegations, a former priest claimed Cardinal O’Brien made an inappropriate approach to him in 1980, after night prayers, when he was a seminarian at St Andrew’s College, Drygrange.

A second statement from another complainant said he was living in a parish when he was visited by Cardinal O’Brien and inappropriate contact took place between them.

A third complainant alleged dealing with what he described as “unwanted behaviour” by the Cardinal in the 1980s after some late-night drinking.

The fourth complainant claimed the Cardinal, who had been due to retire when he reached 75 next month, used night prayers as an excuse for inappropriate contact.

Cardinal O’Brien had been due to take part in the election of Pope Benedict’s successor next month but said in a statement he would be resigning with immediate effect and would not participate in the vote.

There will now be no British Cardinal taking part in the conclave to elect the new Pope.

Archbishop Tartaglia is not a Cardinal and therefore cannot vote in the conclave.